Uttar Pradesh Positions Itself as Emerging GCC Hub with New Policy

In a strategic move to establish Uttar Pradesh as a prominent destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released a detailed white paper highlighting the growing significance of the services sector. The document, titled The True Economics of AI Adoption in GCCs, was developed through a collaboration between HCL Technologies and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.

The unveiling took place during the inauguration of the GCC Innovation Summit 2026 in Lucknow, where the Chief Minister outlined the key features of the recently announced Uttar Pradesh GCC Policy 2024. This policy is designed to attract over 1,000 new GCC units to the state and aims to generate approximately 500,000 jobs, with a focus on expanding opportunities in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Yogi Adityanath emphasized the state's readiness to host large-scale investments by pointing to Uttar Pradesh’s extensive land resources, highlighting a robust land bank exceeding 75,000 acres. He also stressed the state’s pro-industry framework, reliable power supply, improved law enforcement, and consistent governance as critical factors that enhance its appeal to global investors.

The summit saw participation from major players in the IT and services sectors, including LG Electronics, Smartworks, Microsoft, and HCL Technologies, alongside academic support from IIT Kanpur. These collaborations underline Uttar Pradesh's increasing focus on leveraging technological innovation and infrastructure development to boost economic growth.

Representatives from these companies praised the state's initiatives and policies. Brijesh Sharma of LG Electronics revealed the company’s commitment to investing ₹634 crore in establishing its Eco Solutions GCC in Uttar Pradesh, with plans to commence operations by the end of the year. The project is expected to create over 500 jobs, emphasizing talent development and training. Sharma also mentioned future plans to advance research and development in AI-driven data center cooling technologies.

Smartworks, represented by Harsh Binani, acknowledged the state government's proactive role in recognizing the potential of GCCs and expediting the investment process. Smartworks currently manages more than 2 million square feet of office space in Noida, supporting over 110 companies, and is expanding its footprint in Lucknow with an additional 200,000 square feet.

India hosts more than 2,100 GCCs employing over 2.3 million professionals, and Uttar Pradesh aims to capture a larger share of this growing market by attracting GCCs to cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur. This approach is intended to provide local talent with opportunities to build global careers within the state.

Microsoft’s presence in Noida serves as a prime example of successful investment, with a campus developed at a cost of ₹2,500 crore and currently employing 3,000 people.

Kiran Cherukuri from HCL Technologies highlighted the launch of an AI-powered GCC Centre of Excellence at HCL’s Lucknow campus. This initiative, developed in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), aims to drive innovation and offer advanced technological capabilities within the state.

Uttar Pradesh’s strategic push to attract GCCs reflects a broader trend of decentralizing IT and service sector growth beyond traditional metropolitan hubs. By fostering conducive policies, infrastructure, and a skilled workforce, the state is positioning itself to play a significant role in India’s evolving technology and services landscape.